Factors associated with walking performance among adolescents undergoing cancer treatment: A correlational study

Abstract

This study aimed to describe and compare the differences in walking performance between adolescent patients in inpatient wards and outpatient units, and to identify factors that influence walking performance among adolescents receiving cancer treatment. The cross-sectional study with correlational research design recruited 32 adolescents with cancer between February 2015 and March 2017 in two teaching hospitals in Taiwan. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses were used. Participants' age, treatment setting, and symptom distress were significantly associated with number of walking steps. All independent variables in the model together accounted for 82.1% of variance. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature to identify associated factors that affected walking performance among adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. Our findings represent a pathway toward generating knowledge to enhance well-being for this unique population.

Keywords: Accelerometers; adolescence; oncologic care; symptom distress; walking.